Duplex rail assembly elevator



1944- H. c. WAUSON ET AL 2,356,959

I DUPLEX RAIL ASSEMBLY ELEVATOR Filed Nov. 17, 1941 2 Shets-Sheet l QYWWS Aug. 29, 1944. 'H, C, WAUSQN ETAL 2,356,959

DUPLEX RAIL ASSEMBLY ELEVATOR Filed Nov. 17, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Horace C. Wauson Waher E. Benneh J/r Patented Aug. 29, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,356,959 DUPLEX RAIL ASSEMBLY ELEVATOR Horace C. Wausonand Walter E. Bennett, Jr., Houston,Tex., assignors of' three-fourths to Gulf Publishing Company, Houston,";1-ex., a cor;- poration of Texas, and one-fourth to said Bennett, Jr.

-Application'November 17, 1941, Serial No. 419,432

15 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in duplex rail assembly elevators for type-setting machines such as Linotype machines, and in particular, to the'front portionof 'such elevators.

As the well-known procedure, matrices, bearin'g characters, are fed onto a rail in thefront portion of an assembling elevator'i'n Linotype machines. These matrices'are'formed of ajbrass or bronze alloy and carry, on one edge, forms or molds in the shape of various characters. Each matrix usually carries two such molds for making two different characters, or two types of the same character such "as lower case and u er case, or lower case and italic, or bold face I and italic, etc., various combinations being used between the various types and weights of letters or characters. This invention relates to'diip'lex assembly rails, upon which the matrices are fed from the magazines of type in the machine.

The matrices are provided with aprojecting ear, by means of which they are supported upon 1 the assembly rail. In duplex rails, there is a lower rail which. is fixed and usually formed integrally with the front of the assembling elevator, whereby one of the molds on the side of the matrix is brought into the proper position for the casting of a'slug or type character from that particular mold. There is alsoin duplex rails,-an upper rail upon which the ear of the matrix may rest so as to suppo'rtthe matrix in ,a position whereby a character may be molded .from the other mold formed in the edge of the v a portion of the line of type, but not all of the line of type. In such instances, a portion of the matrices fed into the assembling elevator must rest upon the upper rail and a portion must rest upon the lower rail, so as to provide forthe different'variet'ies' of type in the line. There may be several changes in position in one line of type, such as a first portion resting upon the lower rail,

:91 second portion upon "the 'upper rail, a third fportidn upon the lowerrail', and a fourth portion upon the upper rail; or there may be various combinations of the upper and lower portions. In some instances'it is desired that just one matrix will re'st upon a different rail from that which sup ortsit's-adjacent matrices.

' Hereto'fore, in the operation of a duplex rail assembling elevator, it has been necessary for the operator to feed all of the matrices into the elevatorsoas to rest-upon one rail, and then to lower the gate of theele'v'atorand manually move certain of the matrices to the other rail, or lower the matrices as they-are fed onto the rail. Obviously, this is a time-consuming procedure, and one conducive to mistakes.

Ther is available an assembling elevator in which the'upper rail is slidably mounted and is provided with-a hook at one end was to engage the matrices and hold them back from the point at whichthey are fed into the elevator, and allow subsequent matrices to drop onto the lower rail.

However, this assembling elevator is objectionable in several respects.

It has a tendency to twist the type within the eIeVatorsince-the hook engages onlyone edge of the type. 'This, of course, causes a jamming of the mechanism. Also, the slidable rail must be manually returned to its closed position, and this. operation must be repeated each time'there is a change from one rail to the other. A further serious objection is thatthe upper rail may not beinovecl into a laterally retracted position so that type may be fed directly onto the lower rail.

,-It is oneobject of this invention toprovide an "improvedduplex rail assembling elevator in which means are provided for feeding matrices 'onto the upper rail and then withdrawing said rail from beneath a portion of the matrices, so as to allow them to drop onto the lower rail.

An important object of this invention is-to provide an iinprovedduplex rail mechanism 'for assembling elevators whereby matrices may be fed from-the body of the Linotype machine onto either the upper or the "lower rail of the elevator,

and the matrices fed onto the upper rail may subsequently be dropped onto the lower 'rai-l without manual handling of the matrices; and also whereby matrices may be fed directly onto the the portion I4 by pins ll.

rigidly mounted upon the frame I0, and presses Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved assembling elevator wherein the upper rail is slidable longitudinally so that it may be withdrawn from beneath matrices which have been fed thereonto; and wherein means are provided for automatically returning the upper rail to its closed position upon the release thereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved assembling elevator in which the slidable rail may be partially moved away from its' closed position and automatically held in such a location as to allow matrices to be fed directly upon the lower rail.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved assembling elevator in which means are provided for preventing the sliding of the upper rail when the latter is in a retracted position.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and; by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a portion of a duplex rail assembling elevator, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view,

taken on the line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, and showing the upper rail in a retracted position,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the upper rail,

Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical, sectional View, taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a reduced view in elevation of the back side of the elevator,

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view of the upper portion of Figure 6, showing the upper rail slid longitudinally,

Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken below the gate of the elevator, and showing a plan view of the upper portion of the ele vator,

Figure 9 is a similar view, partially broken away to show the internal construction,

Figure 10 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical sectional view, taken on the line I0I0 of Figure 9, and

Figure 11 is an enlarged end elevation of the upper portion of the left-hand side of th elevator.

In the drawings, the numeral I0 designates the frame of the front portion of an assembling elevator which is formed in substantitally the same manner as the ordinary type of elevator front portion. The frameis provided with a depending shank II, having formed therein a bolt hole I2, and having projecting from its back side pins I3 which engage within suitable openings (not shown) formed in the body of the Linotype machine. A bolt is adapted to be inserted within the opening I2 so a to secure the front portion supports the duplex rail assembly. A gate I5 extends longitudinally of the upper portion I4 and is pivoted thereabove by suitable end members I6, which depend and are secured to either end of A leaf spring IBa is against a roller Ila carried by the gate [5, so as to urge the gate constantly toward a closed position. The spring is formed and the roller is mounted so as to have a toggle action, and thus allow the gate to remain in its full'open position. Upon partial closing, however, the spring returns the gate to its fully closed position.

The portion I4 carries a longitudinal recess I8 in its back side and. a rail I9 is formed immediately above the recess so as to extend throughout the length on the back side of the portion I4 thereof. A block 20 is provided at each end of the upper surface of the portion I4, and a retaining bar 2| rests upon the upper side of the blocks 20. Suitable bolts 22 pas through each end of the bar 2I and the blocks 20, and into the portion I4, so as to secure the bar in position thereupon. The bar is cut away along its front side so as to form a recess 23, and the edges of the bar which face upon the recess 23 are beveled outwardly.

An elongate strap 24, having beveled edges, is disposed within the recess 23 so as to be slidable therein. An elongate plate 25 is secured to the upper side of the strap 24 and extends rearWard-' 1y to the back edge of the bar 2|. The front portion of the plate 25 projects outwardly from the upper portion I4.

The strap 24 is formed with a longitudinallyextending tongue 26 on its lower side, which tongue engages within an elongate groov 21 formed in the upper side of a slidable upper rail 28, which rests upon the upper side of the portion I4. Thus, the upper rail may be moved longitudinally with respect to the strap 24 and may be moved inwardly and outwardly with respect to the upper portion I4 by means of moving the plate 25, which causes the strap 24 and thus the rail 28 to be moved. The back edge 29 of the rail 28 is reduced in thickness and projects beyond the back side of the bar 2| so as to overlie the lower rail I9.

An elongate slot 30' is formed beneath the upper rail 28 which rests upon the upper surface of the portion I4, said slot extending into the recess I8. A pin 3I is secured to the lower side of the rail 28 and projects through the slot 3I, the lower end of the pin 3I being secured to one end of a coil spring 32. The coil spring 32 is disposed within the recess I8, and has its other end secured to the right-hand end of the portion I4. Thus, the spring tends constantly to urge the rail 28 into a right-hand or closed position. A finger 33 extends forwardly from the rail 28, and has a thumb piece 34 secured thereto for moving the rail longitudinally of the elevator. A pointer 35 is secured to the thumb piece 34 so as to indicate the position of the right-hand end of the rail.

A rod 36 is mounted in suitable bearing blocks 31 which are secured to the front side of the portion I4, and arm 38 are rigidly mounted 'upon the outer ends of the rod 36. IA handle or lever 39 is secured to the central portion of the rod so as to revolve the same through a small angle. The upper end of the lever 39 is provided witha. finger 40 adapted to engage the forward surface of the portion I4, so as to limit the revolution of the rod 36. The upper ends of the arms 36 engage loosely within openings 4I formed inthe forward edge of the plate 25. may be swung partially so asto swing the arms 38 and cause the plate 25, and thus the rail 28, to move inwardly and outwardly with respect to the portion I4 and the lower rail I9. Q The end portions of the rail 28 are notched at 42 to re- Thus, thelever 39 oeive the blocks and also to limitr theinward and outward movement-of the rail.

It is pointed out, that the inclusion of the rod 36 in the structure .of this invention also allows the use of the safety attachment .knownas the double black attachment, whichis well-known in .the trade, and whichprevents the double raising of a matrix, with the consequent spoilage of Work and possible damage to the .machine.

A block 43 is mounted upon the portion 14 beneath the plate and in close proximity thereto. A recess 44 is formed in theupper'end of the block and a spring-pressed ball 45 is disposed therein, so as .to bear against the underside of the plate. 46 in itslower side, which recess is adapted to receive the ball 45, and thus hold the upper rail .28 in an extended position. In this manner, the.

rail 28, when moved to an extended position, is partially locked in that position by reason'of the engagement of the ball '45 within the recess 46.

It is pointed out, that the slot 38 is provided-at its right-hand end with a small offset 41 to receive the. pin 3| when the rail 28 isretracted. Theengagementof the pin within this offset prevents thelongitudinal movement of the .rail when it is in .a retracted position.

A second recess 48 is provided in the upper sur- The plate 25 is provided with a'recess face of the portion l4 and spaced'a short distance from the right-hand end of said portion. A spring-pressed ball 49 is disposed within the recess 48 so as to bear'against the underside of the upper rail 28. As the railis moved longitudinally, thejball 49 moves upwardly into engagement with the tongue 26 so as to block the return of the rail 28 to its closed position. Thus, by moving the rail 28 slightly to an open position, the ball 49 will move upwardly and upon the gentle return of the rail toward a closed position, engage 'ball is operative only when the rail is closed gently, and has no effect when the rail is allowed to close under the, action, of the spring 32.

It will be noted that the left, forward portion of the rail 28 is cut away so as to allow the rail to pass the left-hand end member I6 as the rail is moved longitudinally to the left.

In the operation of this device, matrices arefed into the elevator, at the right-hand side in this particular instance, in the usual manner. These matrices will be supported upon the upper rail 28 and will move therealong toward the left as additional matrices are fed into the elevator. After one or several consecutive matrices, which it is desired should rest upon the lower rail l9, have been fed onto the rail 28, the rail is moved longitudinally by means of the thumb piece 34, from beneath these matrices so that they are allowed to drop onto the lower rail. The thumb piece is then released and the rail allowed to return to a closed position under the action of the spring 32. Additional matrices may then be fed onto the upper rail, and if it is desired to lower subsequently fed matrices, the same procedure is followed. it is pointed out, that one or a whole line of matrices .may be lowered atone time by sliding the rail 28 longitudinally. I

In some instances it is desirable to retract the raillizacompletely, inwhich instancethe lever 39would' be swung so as to swing the arms 38 and retract the railinto an inoperative position.

It is also sometimes desirable to feed matrices directly onto the lower rail, while other .matrices are held on the upper:rail. To carry out such a procedure, the rail '28 is moved to the left until its right-hand end clears the spring-pressed ball 49, and then allowed to close gently sites to be held partially open by the ball. With the rail in this position, matrices may be fed directly onto the lower rail. As'pointe'd-out hereinbefore', the rail may be subsequently completely closed by moving it slightly to the left and allowing it to close under'the impetus provided by the spring 32.

'It is necessary in some types of type-setting machines vto mill outthe bottom and side of the line delivery front plate, so as to allow lateral movement of the rail 28 beneath said plate, and so as to allow the upward movement of the rail with the elevator past theline delivery front plate. This operation is an obvious one, and is necessary to insure the proper operation of the device.

. This improved assembling elevator possesses all of the features and-advantages of the ordinary duplex rail elevator, and in addition possesses the special features derived from the slidable mounting of the rail 28.

Various changes, alterations and modifications may be made in the size, shape and arrangement of the hereinv describedelements, within the scope of the appended claims.

dinally of the frame so as to expose a portion of said lower rail, whereby said upper rail may *be withdrawn longitudinally from beneath matrices fed thereonto so as to drop the same onto the exposed portion of the lower rail. I

2. A'duplexassembling elevator as set forth in claim lwherein the upper rail is retractable laterally toaan inoperative position so as to entirely expose the lower rail.

3. A duplex assembling elevator as set forth in claim 1 including, means for manually moving the upper, rail longitudinally of the frame, and means for urging said rail to its original overlying position whereby the rail is automatically returned to such position upon release of the manual means.

4. A duplex assembling elevator as set forth in claim 1 including means for holding the upper rail in a longitudinally offset position so as to expose a portion of the lower rail.

5. A duplex assembling elevator as set forth in claim 1 including a spring-pressed element for engaging and holding the upper rail in a partial longitudinally offset position whereby a portion of the lower rail is exposed for directly receiving matrices.

6. A duplex rail assembling elevator including,

a frame, a lower rail mounted on the frame, an 8 gitudinally of the frame so as to expose a portion of said lower rail, whereby said upper rail may be withdrawn longitudinally from beneath matrices fed thereonto so as to drop the same onto the exposed portion of the lower rail, retaining means overlying the upper rail and secured to said frame to prevent vertical displacement thereof, said upper rail being laterally retractable to an inoperative position so as to entirely expose said lower rail, means engaging the upper rail to control the lateral retraction thereof, and means for moving said upper ,rail longitudinally of the frame,

7. A duplex assembling elevator as set forth in claim 6 including means for urging the upper rail to its original overlying position whereby said rail is returned automatically to such position upon release of the longitudinal moving means. v

8. A duplex assembling elevator as set forth in claim 6 including means for holding the upper rail in a longitudinally offset position so as to expose a portion of the lower rail.

9. A duplex assembling elevator as setforth in claim 6 including a spring-pressed element for engaging and holding the upper rail in a partial longitudinally offset position whereby a portion of the lower rail is exposed for directly receiving matrices.

10. A duplex rail assembling elevator including, a frame, a lower rail mounted on the frame, an upper rail carried by said frame and disposed above the lower rail so as to overlie the same, the upper rail having a substantially flat unobstructed upper surface and being movable longitudinally of the frame so as to expose a portion of said lower rail, whereby said upper rail may be withdrawn longitudinally from beneath matrices fed thereonto so as to drop the same onto the exposed portion of the lower rail, means,

12. A duplex assembling elevator as set forth in claim 10 including means for holding the upper rail in a longitudinally offset position so as to expose a portion of the lower rail. 7

, 13. A duplex assembling elevator as set forth in claim 10 including a spring-pressed element for engaging and holding the upper rail in a partial longitudinally offset position whereby a portion of the lower rail is exposed for directly receiving matrices.

14. A duplex rail assembling elevator including, a frame, a lower rail mounted on the frame, an upper rail carried by said frame and disposed above the lower rail so as to overlie the same for receiving and supporting matrices fed to the elevator, the upper rail having the portion of its upper surface which receives and supports the matrices substantially continuous and unbroken so as to be disposed in a single plane, said upper rail being slidable longitudinally of the frame so as to expose a portion of said lower rail, means for longitudinally sliding the upper rail, whereby sliding of said upper rail withdraws the same from beneath the supported matrices so as to drop the same onto the exposed portion of the lower rail, the degree of movement of the upper rail determining the quantity of matrices dropped onto said lower rail. 7

15. A duplex rail assembling elevator including, a frame, a lower rail mounted on the frame, an upper I rail carried by said frame and disposed above the lower rail so as to overlie the same for receiving and supporting matrices fed to the elevator, the upper rail having the portion of its upper surface which receives and supports the matrices substantially continuous and unbroken so as to be disposed in a single plane, said upper rail being slidable longitudinally of the frame so as to expose a portion of said lower rail, and means for longitudinally sliding the upper rail, whereby sliding of said upper rail withdraws the same from beneath the supported matrices so as to drop the same onto the exposed portion of the lower rail, said frame having means for limiting the longitudinal movement of the upper rail, said upper rail being spaced a considerable distance from the limiting means so as to be capable of a HORACE C. WAUSON. WALTER E. BENNETT, JR. 

